3 UP
1. Plawecki Emerging
With the season(s) long struggles of Travis d’Arnaud, there was an opportunity for Kevin Plawecki to come in, prove himself, and quite possibly supplant d’Arnaud as the Mets starting catcher for now and the future. Plawecki is doing just that.
After showing an improved bat in Las Vegas this year, he has continued hitting in his most recent trip to the majors. In 11 games, Plawecki is hitting .314/.385/.486 with three doubles, one homer, and three RBI.
Certainly, the Mets have taken notice with Sandy Alderson announcing the team is comfortable heading into next season with the tandem of d’Arnaud and Plawecki as the Mets catchers in 2018.
2. Mets Are Aoki in the Outfield
With everyone but the beer vendors getting hurt this year, the Mets had to go out and sign an outfielder because the team lacked sufficient outfield depth to carry them to the end of the season. At this time of the year, the pickings are slim, but the team apparently chose correctly when they signed Nori Aoki.
In his four games with the Mets, Aoki has hit .350/.409/.500 with five runs, three doubles, three RBI, and a stolen base. He has been a sparkplug atop the Mets lineup for a team that is averaging 5.0 runs per game when he is in the lineup.
3. Mets Win A Series
With the Mets taking three of four from the Phillies, the Mets have taken their first series against a team since the August 10-13th series in Philadelphia. It was the first series the Mets have won at home since the July 21-23 series against the Oakland Athletics. Coincidentally, that is the last series the Mets won against a team other than the Phillies.
3 DOWN
1. Not So deGrominant
If you want a sign all is for lost this season, look no further than Jacob deGrom‘s last start against the Phillies. Before that start, deGrom was 6-0 with a 2.10 ERA, 0.917 WHIP, and a 9.5 K/9 against the Phillies. At Citi Field, he was 22-14 with a 2.17 ERA, 1.033 WHIP, and a 10.2 K/9.
On Tuesday, deGrom allowed nine runs (six earned) off 10 hits and two walks while striking out five. With this poor start, deGrom has allowed five plus earned runs in three of his last five starts.
Overall, deGrom has had an uneven season. We’ve seen glimpses of his former brilliance, and we have seen him struggle at times. He’s struggling now, and he’s limping to the end of the season.
2. More Surgeries
Michael Conforto had his awaited surgery to fix the torn posterior capsule in his right shoulder. David Wright will have surgery to repair the rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. T.J. Rivera will be the rare position player to undergo Tommy John surgery.
With all the surgeries Mets players have had this season, and may well need in the offseason, lets hope the Mets have a punchcard where the tenth surgery is free.
3. The Harvey Nonsense
Since Matt Harvey has showed signs of injury problems, the Mets have had a three pronged approach to deal with his issues: 1) Call it mechanical issues; 2) Pitch more; and 3) Admit he was injured and put him on the disabled list.
During Harvey’s most recent rehab stint, he wasn’t exactly stellar, and he couldn’t make it past 4.2 innings in any of his four starts. Despite those struggles, he was activated from the disabled list. As you could imagine that start did not go well with him needing 70 pitches to get through just two innings. In those two innings, he allowed seven runs, all earned, on eight hits.
After that start, Harvey and the Mets discussed Harvey experiencing mechanical issues. Even better, both sides agreed, he would make his next start on just three days rest.
It was only after the media and social media backlash that the Mets changed their minds. Conveniently, they blamed the rain, but knowing this franchise the way we’ve come to know them, the pressure put upon them by everyone cannot be discounted. Whether forced or not, it’s a shame the Mets haven’t used this common sense in the past with Harvey.
